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<span class="basic_member_name">Marianna  Paulson</span>
Marianna Paulson
Undress the Stress Coach
Surrey, British Columbia Canada
Posted by Marianna Paulson, Surrey, British Columbia Canada | Apr 04, 2008

Subscribe to Community-wide general discussion What Do You Like About Self-Employment?

Recently, I was asked to participate in a focus group for The Arthritis Society and Self-Employment. We were asked about the benefits of self-employment.

Answering this question helped to clarify that I was 'on the right path'. I love meeting people from all walks of life, having wonderful new experiences and opportunities, working how I want to work and giving people the "key" so that they can "open the door" to their own world of possibilities.

I'm curious to hear about what other Biznikers enjoy about Self-Employment.


10 Bizniks have posted replies

  • Anita CM
    Posted by Anita CM, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh India | Apr 04, 2008

    Self employment= The freedom to be your own boss and doing things your way...

  • Elizabeth Lee
    Posted by Elizabeth Lee, Seattle, Washington | Apr 04, 2008

    Still being in my pajamas at 10:30 am because today is paperwork at home day.

  • Sarah Bitter
    Posted by Sarah Bitter, Seattle, Washington | Apr 04, 2008

    I love the variety of people I work with and the satisfaction of helping people when they most need help. I also love the freedom of choosing with whom and when to work.

    Elizabeth, I love phone-from-home days but sadly, I don't love paperwork-at-home days much at all.

    Sarah

  • Judy Dunn
    Posted by Judy Dunn, Seattle, Washington | Apr 04, 2008

    I love two things the most:

    1. Getting to decide how I spend my time and getting the chance to research marketing trends, learn new things every day and have the fun of figuring out what it all means.

    2. Helping people. Makes my day when someone says, "I tried this idea and it really works. Here's what I did to apply it to my business."

    Elizabeth and Sarah: I work from the home office most every day, so it's a treat when I get to get out and attend an event or even go to a meeting!

    Oh, one more thing. I get to feed my favorite mother deer and the babies she brings by to show me every year!

  • Elizabeth Lee
    Posted by Elizabeth Lee, Seattle, Washington | Apr 04, 2008

    The problem with paperwork at home days is that they become:

    1. vacuuming at home day
    2. laundry at home day
    3. what's in the frig day...oh that looks rotten
  • Karen Pierce Gonzalez
    Posted by Karen Pierce Gonzalez, Rohnert Park, California | Apr 05, 2008

    Great question. I relish being able to focus upon the projects that appeal the most to me. As a former journalist who daily interviewed/wrote about people/issues whether or not they were interesting to me, I am delighted to be able to fill out my work hours with clients who truly are making a contribution to the communities they serve. Also, because I am self-motivated and productive, I only have to answer to my expectations (not those of others).... By the way, today was a paper work at home day for me and I actually got through everything! And that's with a late start (went to the gym and the grocery story first) and a few breaks to just enjoy the spring weather. Of course, I generally only have a paper work at home day once or twice a month! Best, Karen

  • Andrey Rozmaity
    Posted by Andrey Rozmaity, Renton, Washington | Apr 05, 2008

    Do what you like and get paid...


    -Andrey

  • Helen Martin
    Posted by Helen Martin, Seattle, Mercer Island, Bellevue, Washington | Apr 05, 2008

    Hi Marianna:

    I think the best thing about being self-employed is job security. There is no manager over you wondering if you are going to outshine him or her and no piers under you trying to get points with the boss with their "eye" on your job.

    You are your own boss and you can determine your own hours and your own surroundings. Just because you are self-employed doesn't mean you have to work from home.

    Many people think that you have to have a job with benefits and sick leave and vacation time. Well, from what I've heard from the corporate world, a lot of those perks aren't even being offered anymore and many employees have to pay for a part of their health benefits.

    There are some great health plans out there for self-employed and great IRA programs as well. I've still yet to find an IRA for the self-employed that pays a match, but yet again a lot of companies don't offer that anymore.

    I enjoy working to live, not living to work.

    Cheers!

    Helen

  • Marianna  Paulson
    Posted by Marianna Paulson, Surrey, British Columbia Canada | Apr 05, 2008

    Hi to all for taking the time to respond...does my heart good to read such comments.

    I got a kick out of the pajamas comment, as I've been known to stay in them much, much later...true confessions here.

    My prescription: on those days when you aren't feeling as "buoyant", come back here and read - several times!

  • Carol Kirkland
    Posted by Carol Kirkland, Auburn, Washington | Apr 10, 2008

    I love being self employed! My business is home based so I love having the flexibility to be able to make my own schedule. Although I usually work 9-6 M-S

    Carol

This forum is unmoderated, but please keep discussion courteous and not too far off topic.

Members posting in this topic

  • Anita CM
    PHP/AJAX Freelance Programmer
    Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh India
  • Elizabeth Lee
    Professional Organizer
    Seattle, Washington
  • Sarah Bitter
    Insurance for Small Businesses and...
    Seattle, Washington
  • Judy Dunn
    Website & Social Media Copywriter
    Seattle, Washington
  • Karen Pierce Gonzalez
    Public Relations
    Rohnert Park, California
  • Andrey Rozmaity
    New & Used Car Sales
    Renton, Washington
  • Helen Martin
    Green Certified Realtor, Referrer
    Seattle, Mercer Island, Bellevue, Washington
  • Marianna  Paulson
    Undress the Stress Coach
    Surrey, British Columbia Canada
  • Carol Kirkland
    Esthethian (Skin Care Therapist) ...
    Auburn, Washington

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